When was the last time you met someone who was begging to have a cavity? Did they wear an “I love tooth decay” shirt and pass out candy along with with “Cavities Rock!” stickers? The chances are that this has never happened, EVER, anywhere in the history of the world. Why? Because no one enjoys getting cavities.

Yet, without fail, there are many who question the need to add fluoride to our drinking water. Some even fight against it, but the truth is that fluoride in your drinking water is saving your teeth.

WHAT IS FLUORIDE?

Fluoride is a common element found in water, soils, food, and some minerals. It is also synthesized and added to drinking water, toothpaste, mouthwash, and various chemicals.

HISTORY OF FLUORIDE

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan became the first city in the world to add fluoride to their culinary water supply. Eleven years into the 15-year study they discovered something amazing – the rate of cavities in children born after fluoride was added to the water dropped by 60 percent! This discovery led fluoridation of water to prevent tooth decay to be named one of the Ten Great Health Discoveries of the 20th Century.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria produce an acid that strips the tooth’s surface of essential minerals, eventually causing holes (cavities) to form. A healthy amount of fluoride stops and even reverses the decay process by remineralizing the tooth surface before cavities can form.

Studies show that optimal levels of fluoride in drinking water consistently decrease the risk of tooth decay in children and adults by 25 percent.

HOW MUCH FLOURIDE IS IN MY WATER?

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department sets the national standard for water fluoridation. All of the water supplied to our customers is fluoridated. Based on 2013 reports, fluoridation levels ranged from 0.5 mg/L to 1.17 mg/L. For specific questions on fluoridation of your drinking water, contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

Here at Granger-Hunter Improvement District, we are committed to supplying water that meets or exceeds State and Federal standards. For more information visit our website.